Leadership
BY: SAVANNAH DEGROOT, RYLIE NIEBUHR, LILIAN SANCHEZ
BY: SAVANNAH DEGROOT, RYLIE NIEBUHR, LILIAN SANCHEZ
Charlotte is one of the University's key leaders who coordinates a variety of programs within the Leadership and Service division. As the primary coordinator of the entire Alternate Spring Break Service Program, she demonstrates leadership through communication, positivity, responsibility, and commitment.
As a 4th year undergraduate student, Christina has achieved and persevered to accomplish and lead others through her time here at the University. From being on the executive board of her service fraternity to leading multiple ASB trips, Christina demonstrates leadership to fellow students through service and her active role in student organizations.
Jesus is a faculty member at the University who works in the Latino Native American Cultural Center. He has an array of responsibilities related to the cultural center and other Latinx affiliated organizations and groups. Jesus demonstrates leadership through acting as a mentor to students, and leading initiatives in his cultural community.
Father Charles E. Wilson currently serves as the Rector, or Minister, for St. Philip Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio. Upon meeting with him, we learned that, in fact, he is the first white Rector the church has had. Leadership is all about providing a space for others to be empowered to advocate for themselves and others, or to lead as well. Father Charles E. Wilson allows for just that. He provides space for attendees of the church to learn about justice and equity. In the back entrance of the church, there are pamphlets catered to the predominately Black community that attends the masses. There is information about civil rights, human rights, how to interact with the police, job website references, local well-ness programs, etc. In addition, when discussing with many community members they mentioned how important it was for them to have leadership that also opened up their community to the outside community, for example us (as students) inhabiting their church for a week. Father Charles E. Wilson treated us with kindness and compassion. He welcomed us to his community and shared the deeply rooted history that comes about when developing unity through faith.
Amber has a BA in Journalism from the Ohio State University (OSU) and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences from Kent State University. Since graduation she has been a part of multiple groups that fight for the equality and justice and those less fortunate than her. Presently, Amber serves as the Director of Organizing and Policy with the Juvenile Justice Coalition and organizes youth, families, and communities to transform the criminal justice system and reallocate funding from incarceration to trauma healing and resiliency services. Amber was able to teach how to canvas and help us to understand what we were canvasing for in under ten minutes. She shows amazing leaderships through the many projects that she organizes and by having a high energy that demands the attention of those around her.
JJC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to work individually and in partnership with other organizations to ensure that Ohio’s juvenile justice system – from prevention through involvement with the adult court – works effectively to increase positive outcomes for youth, families and communities. JJC supports efforts to reduce youth’s involvement with the juvenile justice system that are community-based, research informed, culturally appropriate, and to put all of Ohio’s youth on a path to success.
Don Currently serves as the Executive Director of the Positive Alternative Learning for Students program, also known as the PALS program. Don has been in services of this program for more than 18 years. There are currently four different PALS programs in the Columbus area, including but not limited to: Downtown YMCA, Vaughn E. Hairston YMCA, Jerry L Garver YMCA. and Feddersen Recreation Center. During our time with Don, we were able to learn about his passion and wholehearted belief in the program. Don is dedicated to the mission of the program, so much that after retirement he plans to continue his service by expanding the program across the United States. Many of his responsibilities include coordinating staff from the various centers, transporting students across various locations, interacting with students themselves, often serving as a mentor, and so much more.
Students who are on three, five, and ten day suspensions are referred to PALS by local public school systems, juvenile courts, departments of human services, and parents. Students in the program are held accountable for their actions by participating in educational programming and behavior modification sessions, rather than treating their suspension as a vacation.
The students are placed in a classroom with a state-certified teacher, case manager, and staff assistant. Social services is also available to make referrals to a mental health expert.
The purpose of the PALS program is to provide youth with a positive change in attitude and a better outlook on the future. Program staff challenge youth to take responsibility for their actions and to help them set goals for their future.
Ronetta Taylor started her work with Huckleberry House in 2014 as a volunteer Hip Hop dance instructor. Soon after she was hired to work in the Crisis Shelter. She has a great passion and understanding for the youth and the struggles they face each day. Ronetta uses her experience as a volunteer to lead incoming volunteers to the most effective place, i.e. giving them a task that both fits them the best and will be the most beneficial to Huck House. She uses her experience and observations to lead a well-rounded house of up to 18 kids.
Huck House works to make sure every teen has a safe home environment.
One in seven children will run away before the age of 18. They run because they don’t know how to deal with family dynamics at home, or because they are experiencing an unsafe situation and feel there is no other escape. Once they are on their own, many don’t have anywhere to go, or they don’t know where to get help.
Since 1970, Huckleberry House has been a safe place and a source of support for these young people. We know this community, and the challenges they face, perhaps better than any other organization. And we work relentlessly to ensure all young people in our community have access to a safe home environment as well as the guidance they need to develop skills and find resources that can help them navigate and cope with the pressures of life.